The new Bishop of Cloyne has vowed to bring about reconciliation in one of the dioceses worst hit by clerical sex abuse scandals.

Dr William Crean made the pledge at his inauguration at Cobh Cathedral when he paid tribute to Archbishop Dermot Clifford for his role in ensuring the diocese meets child protection safety standards.

The Irish Times reports that Bishop Crean told his congregation: “We can be confident that the best practice now prevails and will be subject to continual renewals.

“Today I renew my commitment to continue the work of healing. This work will take time, understanding and patience.”

He also told the paper that he believed it would take a long time for healing to take place but that he was determined to do all he could to bring about reconciliation.

The new Bishop also called on the banks to come to the aid of the ordinary people now paying the price for the collapse of the Celtic Tiger.

Acknowledging that children are going to school hungry in his diocese, he said the banks should help people struggling with economic and financial difficulties.

The paper reports that he said there was no doubt but that a feeling of desolation had swept across Ireland as people struggled to meet the various financial demands made on them in a time of economic hardship.

Bishop Crean said: “The discipline and demands of the troika weigh heavily on us . Is it not time that major financial institutions do more of the heavy lifting because people have already done more than their fair share?”

Speaking after his ordination, Bishop Crean said the findings of a recent INTO survey showed that children were coming to school hungry and the reason for that was simply that people did not have enough money.

He told the paper: “I’m no economist but I have a sense that the institutions are part responsible for the burden on people and they too must carry some of the burden.”Meanwhile supporters of Catholic priest Tony Flannery claimed an attendance of 250 at a vigil outside the papal nunciature on the Navan Road in Dublin on Sunday night.

A letter was handed into the nunciature calling for Fr Flannery, whose ministry has been restricted by the Vatican Congregation for the Doctrine of the faith, to be restored to full ministry, according to the Irish Times.